Identifying
Thesis
Statement and
Outline Reading
Thesis
Statement
Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is the
controlling idea that you will
develop in your paper. This can be
found usually at the end of an
introduction. A thesis statement
can be one sentence. However, if
necessary, it can also be two or
Elements of a Thesis
Statement
ARGUMENT/CLAIM
TOPIC If your writing is an
argumentative paper,
The topic then this should express
of your your opinion. If it is a
research paper, this
paper. should explain the
purpose of your research
Elements of a Thesis
Statement
EVIDENC
The support
E
for your
argument/
claim.
Example 1:
Arg um ent ativ e
1.Topic - The Harry Potter book
series
2.Argument - stole many
fantastical elements from The
Lord of the Rings series.
3.Evidence - giant spiders,
dangerous hooded undead
creatures (Dementors and
Example 1:
Arg um ent ativ e
The Harry Potter book series
stole many fantastical elements from
the Lord of the Rings series. Some of
the uncanny similarities include giant
spiders, dangerous hooded undead
creatures, and a wise mentor that
the hero must learn to survive
without.
Example 2:
Research/Explanatory
1.Topic - Cheese
2.Argument - has healthy
tendencies
3.Evidence - calcium helps
bones and teeth, boosts the
growth of good bacteria in the
gut, and the protein helps cells
repair themselves
Example 2:
Research/Explanatory
Research has shown that
cheese has healthy tendencies
because its calcium provides
necessary nutrients for the growth
of bone and teeth, it boosts the
growth of good bacteria in the gut,
and it has protein that helps cells
repair themselves.
Outline
An outline is a design to follow
when writing a structure, a
discourse, or an article. It
arranges a material in a
logical way into main ideas,
supporting ideas, and
supporting details.
The main idea or topic is the
main topic of the outline. All
main topics are indicated by
Roman Numerals. Subtopics
are noted by letters and
supporting details are
indicated by Arabic Numerals.
An outline can be a
sentence outline or topic
outline. A sentence
outline is written in full
sentence while a topic
outline is in words or
phrases.
Guidelines in
Writing an
Outline
1.Place the title at the center
above the outline.
2.Every level of the outline must
have at least two items (I and II,
A and B, 1 And 2)
3.Put a period after each numeral
and letter
4.Indent each new level of the
outline
5. All items of one kind (roman
numerals, capital letters,
Arabic numerals) should
lineup with each other.
6. Capitalize the first letter of
each item.
7. The terms Introduction,
Body and Conclusion do not
have to be included in the
outline. They are not topics:
they are merely organizational
units in the writers’ mind.
Example:
Benjamin Franklin - Scientist and Inventor
I. Experiments with Electricity
A. Studied nature of Electricity
B. Discovered Lightning Equals Electricity
C. Invented Lightning Rod
II. Other Scientific Work
A. Inventions
1. Bifocal Glasses
2. Franklin Stove
3. Daylight Saving Time
B. Scientific Studies
1. Charted Gulf Stream
2. Worked on Soil Improvement
Thank You
See You Next Time
